There are lots of considerations when you're deciding on a name. Before deciding on a name, keep the following list of things to consider in your mind when you choose your baby's name.

Think of your child's future
Choose the name for your baby's benefit, NOT yours. This means no joke names, puns or play on words. It may seem more interesting than a common name like Mary but would you want your child being teased and laughed at or even scarred for life because you thought it would be different.

Know what you are looking for
Are you thinking of a traditional, religious or an uncommon name? Do you want to name your baby after somebody? Would you like a short or long name? What do you have in mind? Deciding all of this ahead of time will immediately narrow down your search because there are over 21,000 names in our website and going through all of them is going to take some time.

How does it sound like?
Think about your baby’s name. Say it aloud. Does it have a melody? Do you think it sounds weird or out of place? Does it match your last name? Does it sound all right? If you’re naming a boy, avoid names that sound feminine. Most of the time, a shorter first name will go well with a longer last name and vice versa.

Common or Unique name?

There are advantages and disadvantages in both the common and unique names.
For example, a common name like Michael is both easy to pronounce and remember but the name is common, so there is a high possibility that there might be quite a few other Michael’s in your child’s class or workplace. Keep in mind that, if you decide to go for a very popular name, the chances are that several of your child's school friends in later life will have the same name.

An unusual name may make your child stand out from the rest but the question is would she or he want to stand out? If your child is shy and does not like attention, this may be a problem. However, if your child likes the spotlight, then it may be a good thing. Some unusual names are hard to spell and pronounce, so although it might make them feel special, your child might have to get used to people misspelling and mispronouncing their name or even teasing from classmates.
If your child’s last name is unusual, it may be good to give them a common first name or if their last name is common, you can give them an uncommon first name to balance it out like Susan Lenser or Bevin Graham.

Relatives and friends
Many parents choose to name their babies after a grandparent, other relative, or close friend. This option can provide you with a good pool of names to consider. Take ideas graciously, but try not to let anyone know what you’ve decided until your baby’s born; so it’s too late too give in to subtle hints from relatives or friends. Remember; don’t let people pressure you into naming your child something that you’d rather not.

Many parents like to honor a family member by naming their baby after them. But if this is not something you’d like to do, why not use that name as your baby’s middle name so that you get to name your baby to your liking and your family’s happy too.

If you choose to name your child after a parent or grandparent, or if its tradition in your family and you want to continue it, make sure that nobody else in your family has already done so. It will be confusing to have two people in the same family with the exact same name. Ask your family members if they are considering the name or saving it for their child. They may have a special bond with that person and want to honor them by naming their child after them. Sit down with them and try to find an alternative name for your child or theirs. Be regardful of your family members.

If you want to name your child after a close friend, keep in mind that however close you are, friends may change. Is your best friend the same one you had ten years ago or will your best friend now stay with you for the next ten years? Think about it before deciding to name your child after them.

Do not feel pushed into choosing a particular name by family members. Think about it before deciding on anything and ask for advice or other people’s opinions. But remember this; choose wisely. If your child grows up to hate the name she or he was given, it will be you as their parents who will get the blame.

Ancestry and heritage
Your child’s heritage is very important and you may want their name to show it. Or maybe you are a religious person and this may influence your choice in name. Or maybe your family has a tradition to name your firstborns after their grandfathers. If the name you’ve decided on does not get the thumbs-up from your family, you can consider using it as their middle name.
Honor your child’s heritage and give them a name that is part of their culture. The baby Name Dictionary has 43 origins. Each contains the most popular names for that particular origin.

Meaning
Ingrid will not be treated differently just because her name means 'hero's daughter' but she may feel strong because she is the 'hero's daughter'. Your child may or may not care about the meaning of their name but it is something you should consider, especially if you choose a name that has a negative meaning. Zona won't be very happy once she finds out that her name actually means 'prostitute'.